USS Gerald R. Ford Has Withdrawn to Greece! Iran: If Islands Are Attacked, Mines Will Be Laid to Blockade the Persian Gulf Immediately! Iranian Media Lists 11 Targets, Including Desalination Plants and Nuclear Power Plants

The military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Iran entered their 24th day on the 23rd.

The US military's aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" arrived today (March 23) at the military base in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. Greek media expect this largest US aircraft carrier to stay in Souda Bay for more than a week.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported on the 23rd that a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces issued a statement that day saying that the armies of the United States and Israel are under the surveillance of the intelligence departments of the Iranian Armed Forces. US bases in Saudi Arabia and the US Navy's Fifth Fleet have already been hit by Iranian missiles and drones.

Latest News: US President Trump posted on social media today (March 23) that "The United States and Iran have had very good and productive talks over the past two days regarding a thorough and comprehensive resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East." Trump stated that he has instructed a suspension of all military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, provided that the ongoing meetings and discussions are successful.

Regarding Trump's claim that "the United States and Iran have had very good and productive talks," Iran's Fars News Agency quoted sources as reporting that "Iran has no direct communication with the United States, nor has it communicated through intermediaries."

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported on social media on the 23rd that US President Trump "withdrew the 48-hour ultimatum out of fear of Iranian retaliation." Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that Trump "backed down" and his threat against Iran's energy infrastructure was a "bluff."

Iran: If Islands Are Attacked, Mines Will Be Laid to "Blockade" the Persian Gulf

According to Xinhua News Agency, citing Iran's Fars News Agency on the 23rd, the Iranian Defense Committee issued a statement that day saying that once the enemy attacks Iran's coast or islands, Iran will immediately lay various types of mines in all shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf, "blockading" the entire Persian Gulf.

The statement said: "Any attempt by the enemy to attack Iran's coast or islands, in accordance with established military practice, will naturally lead to the laying of mines in all shipping lanes and along the coast of the Persian Gulf, including floating mines that can be deployed from the shore."

The statement stated that at that time, the entire Persian Gulf will fall into a state of obstruction similar to the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz for a considerable period. "In that case, not only the Strait of Hormuz, but the entire Persian Gulf will effectively be blockaded. All consequences arising from this will be borne by the party issuing the threat."

The statement also said that for non-belligerent countries, "the only way to cross the Strait of Hormuz is to coordinate with Iran."

The Iranian Defense Committee reiterated in the statement that if the United States attacks Iran's power stations, Iran will launch reciprocal strikes on Israeli power stations and power stations in regional countries that supply power to US military bases.

Previous media reports indicated that the United States might launch a ground military operation against Iran's Kharg Island. Kharg Island is Iran's largest crude oil export base, from which 90% of Iran's crude oil is exported.

Iranian Media Lists 11 Power and Desalination Plant Targets in the Middle East

Iran's Fars News Agency on the 23rd listed 11 power generation and desalination plant targets in the Middle East that Iran is focusing on, including one nuclear power plant in the UAE.

The report stated that most of the energy and freshwater in the Middle East comes from the aforementioned power generation and desalination plants.

Some US media interpreted the aforementioned power generation and desalination plants as potential targets for Iranian strikes.

These 11 targets include: 2 power generation and desalination plants and thermal power plants in Kuwait; the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and the Taweelah Desalination Plant in the UAE (2); the Ras Al-Khair Power and Desalination Plant and the Shuaiba Power and Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia (2); the Aqaba Power Station and the Samra Thermal Power Station in Jordan (2); the Al Dur Power and Desalination Plant in Bahrain (1); and the Umm Al Houl Power Station and the Ras Laffan / Ras Qartas Power Station in Qatar (2).

According to Tasnim News Agency and other Iranian media on the 23rd, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that if the United States attacks Iran's power stations, Iran will launch reciprocal strikes on Israeli power stations and power stations in regional countries that supply power to US military bases. The statement also condemned US President Trump for falsely claiming that the Revolutionary Guard Corps intended to attack freshwater facilities in the Middle East, stating that the Revolutionary Guard Corps has never done such a thing.

Iran's "Poor Man's Missile" Reads: Let's Go to Tel Aviv

Local time on the evening of the 22nd, Iran's Fars News Agency posted a picture on social media showing a "Shahed-136" drone launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps towards Tel Aviv, Israel. The warhead was inscribed in Persian with "Let's go to Tel Aviv" along with a drawn smiley face.

According to US media reports, the "Shahed-136" drone is relatively low-cost and easy to mass-produce. Analysts call it a "poor man's cruise missile," and it has become a core means for Iran to carry out retaliatory actions against the United States and its regional allies, with thousands deployed so far.

Latest War Summary

—— Iran

Local time on the 23rd, the Iranian Armed Forces issued a statement saying that the Iranian Navy's air defense system shot down two US attack drones at the Port of Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz. The statement pointed out that these two drones were detected and accurately intercepted by the Navy's air defense system before they could launch an attack on Iranian naval forces.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of the 75th wave of the "True Promise 4" offensive. Targets for this round of strikes included multiple Israeli military deployment sites and the US Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

According to Tasnim News Agency and other Iranian media reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that if the United States attacks Iran's power stations, Iran will launch reciprocal strikes on Israeli power stations and power stations in regional countries that supply power to US military bases.

Iranian President Pezeshkian posted on social media that the Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone, except for those aggressors who violate Iranian territory.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement claiming that the Strait of Hormuz has not been blockaded, and ships can continue to navigate the waterway provided they comply with the necessary measures taken due to the war situation.

The Iranian Armed Forces issued a statement expressing that if US President Trump's threat to attack Iranian power plants is implemented, Iran will immediately take four "punitive" measures, including the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the damaged power generation facilities are rebuilt.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the Speaker of the Iranian Islamic Parliament, Qalibaf, posted on social media that in addition to US military bases, financial institutions that provide funding for US military expenditures are also "legitimate targets" for Iran.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council members, severely condemning the recent blatant violations of international law and repeated attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel, calling for immediate action from the Security Council.

According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, US and Israeli forces attacked a radio station in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, causing 1 death and 1 injury.

—— Israel

The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying that the Israeli military launched large-scale strikes on infrastructure in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Devrin stated that Israel's military operations against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon are expected to continue for "several weeks."

—— United States

According to Israel's "Jerusalem Post," senior US officials recently informed Israel and other countries that the US "may have no choice" but to launch a ground military operation against Iran's Kharg Island.

—— United Arab Emirates

Data from the UAE Ministry of Defense shows that its air defense system intercepted 4 ballistic missiles and 25 drones launched by Iran on the 22nd.

—— Lebanon

According to the National News Agency of Lebanon, Israeli aircraft began bombing several bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on the afternoon of the 22nd. These bridges connect the southern border region of Lebanon with major cities such as Nabatiyeh, Tyre, and Jezzine.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Israeli airstrikes on several bridges in southern Lebanon constitute a "serious escalation" of the conflict, a blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, and a precursor to a ground invasion by the Israeli military.

According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Hezbollah in Lebanon has stated that it is prepared for a long-term war with Israel.

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